Car D.I.Y.

[Cletus Van Damme]

Good luck Tom. Been fitting a reversing camera today, too cold to be honest. Pig of a job to get the C Pillar trim off to route the cables through the hatchback grommet. Also fitted a rear dash cam camera, haven't got round to fitting the rest. Wanted hardwire the power for dashcam instead of having a big ugly adaptor sticking out of the accessory socket. Just read that some insurance companies class this as a modification and up the premium, whereas if its just plugged into the accessory socket, it's an accessory and doesn't matter. Got to love car insurance companies.. Just need to adjust the camera angle, had enough of it today, it's working can wait.

 

[Tom B]

Good effort... i'd rather a Scrabble around on the floor with the gearbox on top of me! I hate internal trim.

That said I fitted a tow bar and electrics to my I40 a few months ago and was amazed how well the trim came off... and went back. Handy really as I didn't bother connecting the fog lamp or reversing lamp as the trailer doesn't have them. Turns out the towbar electricals are MOT testable so I'll be revisiting it.

Next job on that one is to install a permanent live socket somehow / somewhere and a plug to plug my tricker charger in somewhere externally. But I can't muster the enthusiasm to get a cable through to the cabin.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Yes car trim is a pain, the newer they get, the worse it is in my experience. The issue with internal trim (the pillars, headlining) is that there's airbags everywhere now.

With the Civic to fit a power supply for an amplifer and sub, I went through the main wiring harness supply grommet through the bulkhead. Checked which direction it turned as it came into the cabin and went through the oppisote side so it wouldn't hit any wires. Taped the wire to a TIG welding rod with lots of insulation tape and pushed it through the grommet. Every car is different though, good luck.

 

[Adam4868]

Just read that some insurance companies class this as a modification and up the premium, whereas if its just plugged into the accessory socket, it's an accessory and doesn't matter

Why would anyone inform there insurance company that they have fitted a rear view camera ?
Nice job though...love Hondas,still miss our accord that got wrote off.

 

[Drago]

Fitting my new Lazer lights tomorrow. I'll get some pics as I brave the cold.

We'll see how I get on, but I may leave the wiring for a warmer day.

 

[Fastpedaller]

Why would anyone inform there insurance company that they have fitted a rear view camera ?
Nice job though...love Hondas,still miss our accord that got wrote off.

In the event of an incident a dashcam may well inform the insurance company what's happened (even if it's unfavourable to their customer) thus saving costly negotiations/arguments - it's therefore beneficial to the insurance co so surely should reduce the premium!

 

[Adam4868]

In the event of an incident a dashcam may well inform the insurance company what's happened (even if it's unfavourable to their customer) thus saving costly negotiations/arguments - it's therefore beneficial to the insurance co so surely should reduce the premium!

No I get that....it's the bit about it being a modification and more expensive on your premiums if it's hardwired.Ive had dashcams and rear view in a lot of vehicles I've owned,hardwired by myself and never informed the insurance about it.

 

[Fastpedaller]

No I get that....it's the bit about it being a modification and more expensive on your premiums if it's hardwired.Ive had dashcams and rear view in a lot of vehicles I've owned,hardwired by myself and never informed the insurance about it.

I have two that I've recently hardwired with front cams. I'll check with insurance, but in the event of a claim I'd hope the Insurance Ombudsman wouldn't support the insurer's rejecting a claim unless it was caused by the wiring causing a fire - but of course their decision isn't always logical.

 

[Adam4868]

I have two that I've recently hardwired with front cams. I'll check with insurance, but in the event of a claim I'd hope the Insurance Ombudsman wouldn't support the insurer's rejecting a claim unless it was caused by the wiring causing a fire - but of course their decision isn't always logical.

Insurance have never questioned my dashcam footage or how or who fitted it.Ive has various instances where it's been used and never have I been asked either.

 

[CXRAndy]

Fitting my new Lazer lights tomorrow. I'll get some pics as I brave the cold.

We'll see how I get on, but I may leave the wiring for a warmer day.

Take some comparison photos to really appreciate the difference

 

[Drago]

Take some comparison photos to really appreciate the difference

You mean night time ones?

 

[Tom B]

Take some comparison photos to really appreciate the difference

Please do, I might consider those, the main lamps on my i40 are woeful.

 

[Drago]

Don't want to dip your headlights when driving towards me?

Then gaze upon my works ye mighty and despair!

 

[Gunk]

Don't want to dip your headlights when driving towards me?
View attachment 758253

Then gaze upon my works ye mighty and despair!
View attachment 758254

Neenaw!